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INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER is the newest installment in the Insidious franchise, following a young mother named Gemma who discovers that she can travel into the Further. Things quickly take a turn when something evil comes after her and she realizes that her ability goes beyond simply entering the Further. She can also bring the dead back into the real world. The film has a pretty simple premise, and I actually appreciate that it does not overstay its welcome. Any longer and I think this movie would have started to feel like a drag.
My biggest problem is that INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER feels like a very generic horror movie. We have seen plenty of stories about someone being possessed, cursed, or dealing with something connected to their family's past, and this movie never really does enough to separate itself from those films. There are some new rules introduced to the Insidiousfranchise, returning characters, cult elements, and plenty of family trauma, but it all feels more like another episode in this universe rather than a real progression of the franchise.
The other major problem is that this movie just was not that scary. My screening actually had cameras recording the audience for reactions, and I honestly do not think they got many scared reactions out of us. There were a few creepy moments that worked, especially the dentist chair sequence and the scene involving the pillow fort, but I never felt like the characters were truly in danger. The movie relies on horror imagery without always creating the tension needed to make those moments hit. There are also some surprisingly cheesy and corny moments. Certain lines and scenes became so dramatic that instead of being scared, I found myself thinking about Michael Jackson's Thriller. Another issue is how much the villain is shown. The more we see the villain, the less intimidating it becomes. Sometimes horror works best when you let the audience's imagination do some of the work, and this movie takes away a lot of that mystery.
Amelia Eve, who plays Gemma, deserves credit because she gives a strong performance throughout the film. She does what she can with the material and makes Gemma someone you can follow through this story. Director Jacob Chase also shows that he knows how to create individual horror sequences. There are scenes where the setup, visuals, and atmosphere work really well. The problem is connecting all of those moments into a story that feels memorable. There are good horror ideas here, but the pieces never fully come together.
Overall, INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER is not terrible, but it is generic and very forgettable. It introduces some interesting ideas to the franchise, but never takes them far enough to make this installment feel necessary. For a movie carrying the Insidious name, I expected a lot more fear, tension, and risk. In the end, my dentist appointment is scarier than this film.
INSIDIOUS: OUT OF THE FURTHER Opens in Theaters August 21st, 2026.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Uziel Lopez (Contributor) is a Houston native who enjoys early mornings, staying active through running, hitting the gym, and listening to music. He’s always up for a movie as long as there’s popcorn. Click Here to check out Uziel's Articles.